Brooks Koepka WITHDRAWS from Players Championship with knee injury

Brooks Koepka has been hit with another injury blow and has been forced to withdraw from The Players Championship due to a problem with his right knee.

The 30-year-old has suffered over the past few years with multiple injuries, mainly in his left knee which led to surgery to repair a partially torn patella tendon, whilst he also had problems with his hip.

Multiple treatments and then stem cell therapy seemed to finally get Koepka back to full fitness at the start of 2021, as he declared himself in full health for the first time in years.

His performances on the PGA Tour were clearly improving and Koepka looked back to his best, winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open to end an 18-month winless run, before finishing tied second in his last start at the WGC-Workday Championship.

Although Koepka will be frustrated not to play in the PGA Tour's flagship event at TPC Sawgrass this week, the positive is that his injury is in the opposite knee, although his manager revealed further assessment will be needed.

"Brooks strained his right knee and he is scheduled to further consult with doctors this week to receive a more extensive evaluation and outlook," said Blake Smith, Koepka's manager. "We will be able to provide additional updates and information as we learn more."

Koepka was set to star in an exciting featured group alongside World No.1 Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed, but the PGA Tour will now look to reshuffle the groups to find a suitable replacement.

Kramer Hickok has been announced as the first alternate should there be any further withdrawals from the tournament.

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